Searching tool and process for unified search using categories and keywords
First Claim
1. A computer implemented process for searching a database of entries, comprising the steps of:
- providing a database of entries, at least part of said entries being mapped to a set of categories, at least part of said entries being associated with key phrases;
in response to a first query of a user with a set of search terms,selecting among said set of categories, at least one category mapped to the entries returned by said query;
dynamically extracting the key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query;
dynamically selecting a subset of said extracted key phrases;
displaying to the user said selected categories and said selected key phrases in addition to a list of entries returned by the query; and
in response to the user activating one of said displayed categories or said displayed key phrases, starting a second query refining the first query to a subset of the entries returned by said first query.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A database of entries, such as Web pages and sites, is provided. The entries are at least partially mapped to a set of predetermined categories. The entries are also associated with keywords, for instance, by automatic indexing of documents. In response to a query into the database, a user is provided with a series of refinement strategies, in addition to search results. Refinement strategies comprise categories relevant for the search, selected among the set of predetermined categories. Refinement strategies also include keywords dynamically selected among keywords associated with the entries. The user may easily navigate among the results to the query, and formulate new queries.
186 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A computer implemented process for searching a database of entries, comprising the steps of:
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providing a database of entries, at least part of said entries being mapped to a set of categories, at least part of said entries being associated with key phrases; in response to a first query of a user with a set of search terms, selecting among said set of categories, at least one category mapped to the entries returned by said query; dynamically extracting the key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query; dynamically selecting a subset of said extracted key phrases; displaying to the user said selected categories and said selected key phrases in addition to a list of entries returned by the query; and in response to the user activating one of said displayed categories or said displayed key phrases, starting a second query refining the first query to a subset of the entries returned by said first query. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer implemented process for searching a database of entries, comprising the steps of:
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providing a database of entries, at least part of said entries being mapped to a set of hierarchically organized categories, at least part of said entries being associated with key phrases; in response to a first query of a user with a set of search terms, selecting among said set of categories, categories of different hierarchical levels mapped to the entries returned by said query; dynamically extracting the key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query dynamically selecting a subset of the key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query; displaying to the user said selected categories and said selected key phrases in addition to a list of entries returned by the query; and in response to the user, activating one of said displayed categories or said displayed key phrases, starting a second query refining the first query to a subset of the entries returned by said first query. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A computer implemented searching tool comprising:
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a search server for receiving queries from users, the search server transmitting results to users; a database of entries, at least part of said entries being mapped to a set of categories, at least part of said entries being associated with key phrases, wherein the search server includes means for searching the database and for selecting among said set of categories, categories mapped to the entries returned by a first query; means for dynamically selecting key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query; means for dynamically extracting the key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query; wherein the results transmitted to the users include said selected categories and said selected key phrases in addition to a list of entries returned by the query; and means for activating one of said selected categories and said selected key phrases to start a second query refining the first query, the second query returning a subset of the entries returned by the first query. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A process for searching a database of entries in a computer implementation, comprising the steps of:
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providing a database of entries, at least part of said entries being mapped to a set of categories, at least part of said entries being associated with key phrases; in response to a first query of a user; selecting, among said set of categories, categories mapped to the entries returned by said query; dynamically extracting the key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query; dynamically selecting a subset of said extracted key phrases associated with the entries returned by said query; displaying to the user said selected categories and said selected key phrases in addition to a list of entries returned by the query, wherein a category in said set of categories is formed of a set of at least two attributes; and in response to the user activating one of said displayed categories and said displayed key phrases, starting a second query refining the first query to a set of entries returned by the first query. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification